Jesus: Shepherd and Trailblazer

 "The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want,."

(from Psalm 23)

Psalm 23 highlights God's comfort and care also inviting us to connect with the deeper radical claims confronting our experiences of suffering, fear, hostility, and alienation.

The rural comparation connects strongly with Christians, especially in seeing Jesus as the Good Shepherd. Pointing to God’s ongoing blessing and presence.

Awareness of Psalm 23 can hide new meaning in the Psalm.

Careful study reveals it as a journey from rest through valleys, always guided by God.

For example, there is a real “Valley of the shadow of death” known as the Wadi Qelt.

steep-sided desert valley (wadi) in the Judean Desert, extending from near Jerusalem to Jericho. Known as a "valley of the shadow of death" due to its steep, treacherous terrain, considered the setting for the Good Samaritan parable.

Travelers on the dangerous 7-mile journey from Jerusalem to Jericho could expect to be beaten and robbed.

Jesus is seen as the trailblazer of the paths of righteousness guiding us towards right relationships with both God and each other.

According to the psalm, these righteous paths don't simply connect the green pastures to the house of the Lord.

Instead, they pass through the valley of the shadow of death".

Rather than enemies, "goodness and mercy" pursue the psalmist, and "dwell" might be better interpreted as "return," suggesting ongoing pursuit of God's presence.

“Paths of righteousness” refer to living in a way that honors God and maintains relationships.

 Jesus the trailblazer guides us through the paths of righteousness, even in hardship to God’s continuing blessings 

Hope in Unexpected Twists and Turns

Hawk's Nest Overview

" Now on that same day 

two of disciples were going to a 

village called Emmaus, 

about seven miles[ from Jerusalem, 

and talking with each other 

about all these things that had h9appened." 

(from Luke 24:13-35)

The Hawk’s Nest is a scenic, cliff-hanging stretch of NY State Route 97 offering dramatic views of the Delaware River.

 Originally a one-lane dirt road built in 1859, it is known for bald eagle sighting, scenic overlook, and its twists and turns.

 "Just as the Hawk’s Nest Road winds unpredictably, so too do our days.

 For example, one day started off unpredictably, with the electrician arriving at 7:30, followed by the plumber at 8:30, and then a sincere thank you note delivered in person at 9.

 "Our current polarized society creates complex, unexpected twists and turns that are difficult to navigate."

The Emmaus Road story is one of hope in times of twists and turns. 

The first unexpected twist and turn happen a grieving disciples discuss what has just happened, hoping to make sense, when Jesus himself joins them on their journey.

 The unexpected twists and turns continue as Jesus, using Moses and the prophets, explains the necessity of him being lifted into glory.

 In yet another unexpected twist and turn, when the disciples offer to host a meal for their guest, Jesus reverses the event and hosts the disciples by offering and sharing bread.

 Finally, when Jesus takes, blesses, and shares the bread, everything changes, because in this simple act at an ordinary table we get a glimpse of Jesus’ transformative kingdom.

 The hope in our unexpected twists and turns is that when the bread is blessed, broken and shared, we see that Jesus has been with us all along.

God is with us always in our unexpected twists and turns.